Newby

[kiwikev]

After 16 years of distilling i came across this site and wow, so much info.
I built my own reflux still out of recycled stainless and used scrub buds as media. About a year ago I revamped the old girl, got rid of the scrub buds and loaded it with rouching rings and made copper plates that fit in the top of the chamber.I also drilled some holes through the collumn and welded some cooling pipes to help the alcohol cool.
The results were amazing in the alcohol produced.
Yes I am lazy and still use turbo and 8 kilos of sugar.I am also a firm beleiver that this wash needs to be distilled twice to get rid of off flavours and clean up the spirit. 1st run usually 89 - 90% 2nd run 93-95% and clean spirit. Flavouring comes out much better if some time is spent on your spirit. I only make alc at 40% abv and the best way (most acurate) is to weigh the spirit then add the required amount of water.
I am now in the process of making a copper pot still. Its amazing what you can make out of an old hot water cylinder for about 40 bucks

Am interesed in malting so there is some good info on this forum that I can try
Will keep you posted

[Tater]

Welcome to forums

[olddog]

Welcome Kiwikev, just make sure there is no lead solder in that cylinder.


OD

[rad14701]

Greetings, kiwikev...

Hopefully, we will be able to ween you off the turbos and get you to try a few of the Tried and True recipes which require less work for better results... Plenty of good reading here to help you along...

Good luck...

[Intoxicated]

Welcome from a fellow Newbie!

I might have to try distilling twice. Sounds like it's worth a shot. I might keep some neutrals spare for later comparison.

[kiwikev]

Yeh, Definatly no solder, my mates a plumber and we will siverphos. All is good
Kiwikev

[kiwikev]

Intoxicated, Its just that with turbos I found that the flavour of the wash came thru and it aint nice. So, by doing a double that shitty taste stays in the still.As I have never done grain wash I figure that the wash itself would be of a nicer taste as it is really natural, hard to explain but after years of doing it that is what worked for me.
kiwikev

[kiwikev]

Thanks for your advice. Where and how do I start. What is the best grain for Bourbon. Then flavouring. I feel like a complete beginner. I guess that rye makes rye wiskey (whiskey) Can someone give me the lowdown
kiwikev

[blanikdog]

The "Reading Lounge" is a good place to start followed by "Tried and True Recipes".

Rads Allbran would be recommended by most in here.

[kiwistiller]

lots of reading to do mate If you're looking at going down the whisky road, UJSM is a great recipe to cut your teeth on, learn to cut well, figure out aging and so on. you can vary the grain bill to suit your tastes. bourbon is at least half corn, some barley malt, and sometimes wheat or rye as well. Don't know what you mean by flavouring, the flavour is from the grain and the aging.